Nigeria Police Force Arrests Two High-Profile Suspects for Investment Fraud and Cybercrime

As part of its efforts to combat transnational financial crimes, the Nigeria Police Force has arrested two high-profile suspects, Robert Harms and Okeke Ogechi Njaka, for investment fraud and cybercrime. Robert Harms, a Canadian national, was apprehended on February 7 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to flee to Canada, allegedly having defrauded Tepison Enterprises of $210,000 through a fake waste-to-energy project in Canada. In a separate operation, Okeke Ogechi Njaka was re-arrested on May 8 in Abuja for multiple cybercrimes, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretences, and criminal breach of trust.

Key Takeaways:

• The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two high-profile suspects, Robert Harms and Okeke Ogechi Njaka, for investment fraud and cybercrime.
• Robert Harms, a Canadian national, allegedly defrauded Tepison Enterprises of $210,000 through a fake waste-to-energy project in Canada, and was apprehended on February 7 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
• Okeke Ogechi Njaka was initially arrested in Anambra on January 4 for multiple cybercrimes, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretences, and criminal breach of trust, but absconded after jumping bail.
• Njaka's NGO, Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation, is also under prosecution for allegedly defrauding the public of N452.8 million through a fake medical assistance scheme.
• The Nigeria Police Force, under Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, reiterated its commitment to tackling financial and cyber threats.
• A senior police officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, urged the public to exercise caution in international business dealings and report suspicious activities to law enforcement.

Statistics:

• $210,000: the amount allegedly defrauded from Tepison Enterprises through a fake waste-to-energy project in Canada.
• 2: the number of high-profile suspects arrested by the Nigeria Police Force.
• N452.8 million: the amount allegedly defrauded from the public through a fake medical assistance scheme by Njaka's NGO, Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation.
• 2: the number of times Okeke Ogechi Njaka was arrested for multiple cybercrimes.
• May 8: the date on which Okeke Ogechi Njaka was re-arrested in Abuja for multiple cybercrimes.

Sources:

• ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Force.
• Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, Nigeria Police Force.
• Tepison Enterprises, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
• Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation, NGO allegedly defrauding the public of N452.8 million through a fake medical assistance scheme.